WASHINGTON — The acting head of the Social Security Administration has resigned from her position amid requests from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to obtain sensitive information about Social Security beneficiaries, as reported by sources who wish to remain anonymous.
Michelle King, who has dedicated over three decades to the agency, stepped down over the weekend after she declined to grant DOGE personnel access to confidential information, according to insiders familiar with the situation.
Following her resignation, Leland Dudek, an existing SSA staff member, has been appointed to take over as acting commissioner.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields issued a statement on Monday evening, announcing that President Trump has nominated Frank Bisignano, a well-qualified candidate, to head the Social Security Administration. Fields expressed confidence that Bisignano would receive prompt confirmation in the upcoming weeks. Until then, Dudek will oversee the SSA, leveraging his expertise in anti-fraud initiatives.
Fields reiterated the administration’s commitment to placing highly skilled individuals in significant roles, asserting that they are focused on serving the American public rather than catering to a bureaucratic system that has not met their needs effectively.
King’s departure aligns with a series of exits at high levels of government, primarily motivated by concerns regarding DOGE’s alleged plans to access sensitive taxpayer data unlawfully. DOGE has already penetrated Treasury payment systems and is reportedly making attempts to access databases maintained by the Internal Revenue Service.
Since Donald Trump regained the presidency, his advisor, Elon Musk, has taken significant actions within various federal agencies via the DOGE initiative, often without public attention or scrutiny.
Nancy Altman, president of the advocacy group Social Security Works, emphasized the grave implications of DOGE’s actions, stating, “It is impossible to overstate the seriousness of this breach. To my knowledge, it has already happened.”
She further explained that the information safeguarded by the Social Security Administration is extremely sensitive. The SSA keeps records for everyone with a Social Security number, which practically includes all Americans, individuals enrolled in Medicare, and low-income applicants for Supplemental Security Income, a means-tested program.
Altman raised concerns about potential misuse of this data, noting, “If there is malicious intent towards perceived adversaries, it could lead to erasing your earnings history, thereby undermining your ability to receive the Social Security and Medicare benefits that you rightly earned.”
The issue of Social Security is becoming increasingly critical in the political sphere and has emerged as a key topic ahead of the 2024 election, affecting roughly 72.5 million individuals, including the elderly, disabled, and dependent children who rely on these benefits.
